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Stoptober 2013 Launches in County Durham

Durham County Council is backing this year's campaign
along with leading employers

Smokers in County Durham are being
invited to join the tens of thousands of people gearing up to quit
for Stoptober - officially launched today (Monday 9 September)

This year, Stoptober is aiming to
become the nation's biggest ever quitting drive - with every North
East local authority and dozens of organisations with a reach of
over half a million staff in the region taking part to back it.

Stoptober is a 28 day initiative from
Public Health England, which is backed by Fresh and encourages the
North East's 460,000 smokers to make a quit attempt, starting on
October 1.

People will be able to take advantage
of free support including a Stoptober support pack, a daily
messaging service and Stoptober mobile app. To register all you
have to do is click on smokefree.nhs.uk/Stoptober/

A person stopping smoking for
28 days is five times more likely to stay smokefree and Stoptober's
aim is to help smokers achieve this goal. Friends, families,
employers and work colleagues can also make a real difference to
support people to stop for the whole of October and
beyond.

Someone who quits smoking for
Stoptober, and doesn't smoke again, could gain an extra seven days
of life, every 28 days, for the rest of their life. Along with the
health benefits, quitting saves the average smoker over £150 a
month and almost £2,000 a year.

Every North East council,
including Durham County Council, has backed the campaign, which
includes encouraging any staff who smoke to give quitting a go.
Some of the major organisations backing Stoptober include,
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust, Durham and Darlington NHS
Foundation Trust, Durham University, Newcastle University, the
University of Sunderland, Greggs, International Paint, Bellway
Homes, Nike, Boots, Durham and Cleveland Constabularies, South
Tyneside Homes, Gentoo, Home Housing and Port of Tyne.

The Northern TUC has also backed the campaign through the
Better Health at Work Awards scheme.

Councillor Lucy Hovvels, Durham
County Council, said "We are supporting Stoptober as evidence
suggests that if a smoker can stay smokefree during the 28 day
challenge, smokers are five times more likely to go smokefree and
stop for good. Stoptober gives smokers the opportunity to prepare
and take part in a smokefree plan that will give them a great
foundation for giving up.

"During Stoptober, there will be lots of support to help
people on their smokefree journey including a prepare pack, a text
support service and an app for real-time support. People can
also contact our local County Durham and Darlington NHS Stop
Smoking Service as they offer free local and effective support that
works."

Ailsa Rutter, Director of Fresh, said: "We're encouraging
anyone who smokes in the North East to join in with Stoptober and
give quitting a go. Last year's campaign was a massive success and
this year it could be even bigger.

"It is fantastic to have so much
involvement from local authorities and major employers from the
region this year. The support of your employer and colleagues can
make a massive difference to help you to quit.

"If you smoke there's
countless reasons to stop. You will feel better in yourself, lower
your chances of a serious smoking related disease like lung cancer,
and have much more money in your pocket.

"There are more tools than ever
before to help quit for good, as well as the excellent support from
the effective NHS Stop Smoking Services in the North East."

Benefits of quitting

Reduce the risk of a serious smoking related disease from
middle age

You'll improve your general fitness

You'll save hundreds if not thousands of pounds for nicer
things

Your skin and teeth will improve

You won't smell of smoke

If you smoke indoors, you'll protect loved ones from poisonous
smoke

If you want to quit smoking
and want local support, you can contactCounty

Durham and Darlington
NHS Stop Smoking Service on 0800 531 6317

To follow FRESH onfacebook and Twitter
look for FreshSmokeFree.

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